Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
09:39
Physical, Chemical and Biological Characterization of Six Biochars Produced for the Remediation of Contaminated Sites
Published on: November 28, 2014
A note on 207Bi in environmental samples
P Bossew1, H Lettner, A Hubmer
1European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre, Institute of Environment and Sustainability, Radioactivity Environmental Monitoring Group, Via Fermi 1, I-21020 Ispra (VA), Italy. peter.bossew@jrc.it
Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
|October 24, 2006
Summary
Radon-220 (207Bi) was detected in Austrian Alpine soil and glacier sediment. These findings confirm its atmospheric dispersal from 1960s nuclear tests and provide data for accurate radionuclide detection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiochemistry
- Nuclear Physics
Background:
- The radionuclide bismuth-207 (207Bi) is a byproduct of thermonuclear explosions.
- Global atmospheric dispersal of 207Bi occurred primarily in the early 1960s.
- Alpine regions can act as repositories for atmospheric fallout due to unique environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and quantify traces of the radionuclide 207Bi in soil and cryoconite samples from Austria.
- To assess the presence and distribution of 207Bi in Alpine environments.
- To compare measured 207Bi levels with global fallout data and discuss implications for detection methods.
Main Methods:
- Sample collection from Alpine soil and cryoconite.
- Activity concentration measurements using gamma spectrometry.
- Correction for cosmic neutron activation in lead shielding during low-level 207Bi assessment.
Main Results:
- Traces of 207Bi were identified in Austrian Alpine soil and cryoconite samples.
- Activity concentrations reached up to 22 Bq/kg dry mass.
- The measured ratio of 207Bi to 137Cs global fallout was (1.70+/-0.12)x10(-3), consistent with literature.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms the presence of 207Bi in Alpine environments, originating from historical thermonuclear explosions.
- Findings provide valuable data on radionuclide distribution in high-altitude ecosystems.
- Accurate assessment of low-level 207Bi requires accounting for interfering gamma lines from neutron-activated lead shielding.
